Nursery and 30 weeks

We made it out of the 20s! The first week of the 30s has brought on a very very active baby, tends to like to tap dance on my right ribs during work hours and early morning. Friendly reminders he/she is still in there.



As promised here is a panoramic of the nursery. Things are pretty much ready for move in day other than the fun stuff and must haves like diapers ;) hopefully the shower will help in fill those items. Couldn't have done all this without my mom and sister, it has turned out way better than I could have hoped. I sure can't wait for the room's resident to get here (alright I will wait at least 4 more weeks). My glider should be ready middle of March very early April just in time for munchkin, that will go in the living room :)



Ok enough for this post, on to more junk removal around rest of the house. Happy weekend everyone :)

Tahoe and 29 weeks

 It has been a whole week and weekend since we were in Tahoe, what a fabulous trip we had.  There were very little people there and those that were seemed to be more interested in skiing/snowboarding that what we were up to.  We rented a little cabin in south lake, about 2 miles from the stateline and the casinos.  We never made it to the casinos but the location was great, we were in a little community, very quiet and dark at night.  During the days we took the dogs to the lake and did hikes with and without the pups.  The first hike we went for a very beautiful hike to Emerald Bay, I had never hiked all the way down and Kyle had never been to Tahoe during the summer months so it was a very nice walk.  The hike was about 1.7 miles each way and we had a gorgeous view of the lake and the bay.  We even found a campground we would like to go back and visit during the summer, Eagle Point, sounds like it will be closed for the rest of this summer for renovations, after that we will definitely be visiting with our new bundle of fun.  The next hike we went on we took the pups with, it was about 2 miles round trip.  We started on the barn trail in the bi-state park just behind Northstar village and under their gondola, then we switched to the cal/nev trail to finish the hike.  The dogs were in heaven, the hike was so empty that we got to let the dogs off leash and enjoy the freedom.  Needless to say the mutts were very sore, so sore that they had a difficult time going up and down the stairs in the cabin.  We can't wait to go back to Tahoe and hopefully we can make it happen this summer. 

Front of our little cabin

Second hike, we happened upon the state boarder on our way back to the car, pretty fun

View from our first hike, we hadn't turned the corner to see Emerald Bay yet

First night in Tahoe, the dogs loved the lake!

Now on to baby update....I am just past the 29 week mark, in fact 2 more days until I leave the 20 weeks.  Feels like the 20s have drug their feet and oh boy will I be glad to turn that 2 into a 3 :-)  Let's see, I've started going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, I have another appointment next Wednesday.  Every time I've gone so far they seem pleased with my weight gain, blood pressure and the baby's heartbeat.  My next ultrasound is scheduled for right around valentine's day, what a present to see baby just before that holiday couldn't ask for better gift.  Baby has become VERY active during the work day hours, I figure it is just a matter of time before someone notices the movement during a meeting.  Overall I am feeling great, still functioning relatively normal.  Baby is starting to push up under my ribs on the right side, Kyle giggles at my belly daily because it is so pointy.  I do look forward to having baby out and holding in my arms and have my body space back to myself.  I sleep great still and I am very very thankful for that, I have noticed that I've started snoring and waking myself up.  Thankfully it doesn't seem to bother Kyle but I bought some breath right strips so I stop waking myself up, HA!  It really is the little things I am starting to miss, like turning around to check over my shoulder while driving without feeling like I'm fighting a watermelon or eating a normal size meal without feeling like I just finished a thanksgiving feast and will explode at any minute.  Just makes me even more thankful that I've had things so easy this far and still feel great just a little uncomfortable. 

We do have our maternity pictures scheduled and are planning to head down to the coast in the 17 mile drive area.  Speaking of I need to reach out to my hair lady and see if she is available and if she can do makeup too.  I've started looking for a pediatrician and think I have one in mind, would like to go meet her in person before sending in my registration papers for the hospital.  We did our hospital tour last night and I am very happy with the vibe of the hospital and the accommodations they set up.  They seem to be very flexible and understanding but we shall see when the actual time comes.  I still plan to work up until baby starts making the grand entrance into this world, just can't imagine hanging out at home "twiddling" my thumbs waiting for something to happen.  I feel pretty good about where we are in preparations, we have the essentials it would take to bring baby home so that is what I care about.  The nursery is coming along fantastically.  I'll try to clean up the miscellaneous items this weekend and post pictures of the "finished" room.  My mom and sister came to help and boy did they make a difference, what a great end product we came up with. 

I very much look forward to helping Devarae with her nursery in return and am ecstatic about starting to plan her shower.  My shower, then baby, then her shower, then her baby, time is quickly passing by and the fun will be here soon.  Thank you all for checking in on the blog, I will post room pictures soon and possibly throw in some other pictures from around the house too, we've upgraded some furniture and I'm very proud :-)  Until next time...happy kick kicks from baby C

Pointy Butt!

No doubt in 3rd trimester now

Off we go to Tahoe but weekly picture first :) Baby is excited about Tahoe, kicking up a storm. Mutts are excited because we are at home Friday morning instead of work and they see their things getting packed along side ours. I hope there is snow and that we even get a little snowed on.

Entering the home stretch

According to half the sources I have 27 weeks marks the start the third trimester and the other half day 28. So that said I consider myself already having started the home stretch or if you are of the 28 mindset you could say I am technically one day from it. I am hoping that things continue as they have thus far and this next 3 months treat me kindly.

I have started the every 2 week Dr visit rotation and need tip get my whooping cough booster. I felt hiccups on Monday night during yoga, that was fun. I definitely 'feel' pregnant now, the tummy is undeniably a baby not just a food baby anymore. My skin on the mid section is very tight but for the most part I am still comfortable. I have started to have some indigestion but if I pop a tums I seem to be ok. I keep some close for the middle of the night just in case. But never fear the threat of heartburn has not deterred me from enjoying my normal spicy hot food :)

Thankfully I haven't experienced the troubles sleeping most pregnant women face. I still get up at least once a night too pee but don't find it hard tip fall back asleep. Please cross your fingers that remains the case until at least closer to arrival time.

I passed my gestational diabetes test with flying colors, to quote the doctor I can eat the horse and the horseshoes, pretty much got free rein to eat what I like. Great news, I love clean bills of health. Our next ultrasound (32 weeks) is scheduled, 2/13 @ 1pm we get to see our sweet baby again. We are getting close to starting our birth classes and hospital tour, things are getting really real now.

My mom and sister came to help me with the nursery and baby shower planning this past weekend. What a fun filled whirlwind productive weekend we had. I can't wait to get a couple more items delivered and/or hung so I can take pictures and show you all. I am more than thrilled at how things are coming together. And boy oh boy am I just so excited to celebrate munchkin with all my girlfriends. My mom sister and I were an incredible invitation assembly team, they are freaking adorable!

Our little baby will be here in no time flat, I can't wait to meet baby and start that part of the journey. We hAve continued to play the name game and I think we have a couple names for each gender but nothing finalized yet. Trying to figure out maternity leave timing with my sister's due date and how much time Kyle will take off, so many things to consider.

Kyle and I had to Tahoe this weekend for a little get away with the pups...is it too early to call it our babymoon??? I think so, I want to eek out at least one more trip before calling it a day on just us and the fury kids. I will post pictures and a recap of our trip. Hopefully there will be some snow our better yet it will snow while there, hope the mutts like the cold white stuff.

Thanks to all for following my journey and all your wise and helpful advice and input.

Holiday Season

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  So here I sit at my gestational diabetes test, I have downed the dreaded liquid, no where as bad as I envisioned. Really tasted like the Orange "juice" we got as kids out of the big Orange McDonald's cooler after a sports game. I didn't have a problem drinking it in the allotted 5 minutes I was given, took about 30 seconds, wouldn't want to drag it out longer than that anyways. Boy oh boy does it make baby kick though...fun to sit here and feel all the activity.

Today marks my 180 day of pregnancy or so says my daily app.  That means after today I will be in the double digit count down, really is amazing ho  quickly things are flying by.  Kyle asked if we could go baby shopping this evening, start collecting some essentials for bringing munchkin home. Shower date has been nailed down, grandma has her plane tickets, things are starting to take shape.  My sister and mom are coming up next weekend  to help me decorate and finalize the nursery decor, can not wait.

For the holidays, Kyle and I made the long road trip down to southern California, so great to spend time with the family and just relax. My dad`s mom isn't doing so well so it was especially nice to visit with her for Christmas eve, another fabulous dinner with the Irgens side.  As is the tradition, we spoiled one another again this year. My grandma's living room was consumed my presents. Next year I imagine the recipients will be slightly younger in age and not quite as impressed by the massive pile of goodies, but the following year, oh goodness!!! The doggies enjoyed their vacation as well, walks multiple times a day with a morning run behind a local church with my mom and dad.

So along with progressing in weeks toward delivery and meeting our new family member, my belly continues to expand. I swear this baby is standing on its toes and stretching as far toward my ribs as possible all while sticking its little booty toward my belly button. The skin on my mid section is stretched just about as tight as it could go, after every meal I tell Kyle I feel like I am going to rip open.  And if you missed my confession on Facebook I am pretty sure my nice innie belly button is a thing of the past, at least until baby has arrived and I get to do some crunches. But these things are a small price to pay for the sweet baby we will get in April. 

Next milestone for me...continue cooking baby and visit doctor regularly. Ultrasound will be at 32 weeks so a little while to wait on that.

One last thing, I am writing on my kindle, so if something doesn't make sense please ignore for now, I am going to proof read from home this afternoon, thank you.

Holidays are closing in!

Let's start with baby news and then we can finish with holiday fun.  Baby is almost 6 months incubated (Thursday 12/18 - my mom's birthday).  I find kiddo likes to kick around morning snack time and later in the evening while I'm watching TV, it is always reassuring to get that little tap tap from the inside like "I'm still in here and doing well Mom, see you in a few months."  And then I think oh crap I literally only have 3.5 months left...how am I ever going to be ready for this, not mentally or emotionally but essentials-wise.  My belly is getting bigger and maternity pants are pretty much an everyday thing until I get home and relax in my cozy pants.  I did end up getting several pairs of pants for work from Old Navy and Motherhood.  I'm a much bigger fan of the under the belly pants than the fully coverage style, which is complete opposite of what I expected but hey it is what it is.  And maybe that will change as the belly continues to expand. 

23 weeks "big"

Kyle and I have a registry open on Amazon and I add things to it all the time thinking this is a really great thing, I'll need that or so and so suggested that I'll put it on there.  I just haven't gotten around to pulling the trigger and actually making some purchases.  But then I sit back and think you'll be fine, get the basics and what you have to have to get baby home and the rest will work out.  So, I envision after the new year and x-mas fun Kyle and I will be making a couple runs to Costco and Buy Buy Baby for the must haves and then wait for the baby shower to fill in the gaps :-) 

Oh yeah oh yeah, how could I forget the most important news since the last update...Devarae and Mychal are expecting a baby too!!!  End of June is their prediction as of now.  Kyle and I couldn't be happier for them and are so excited that they will have a cousin so close in age to grow up with...now if we could just get them to move closer to us ;-)  My parents are just over the moon excited, not one grandkid this spring/summer but 2!!!  I've been asked a couple times how I'm doing with the news and I just want to share that I honestly NEVER EVER considered this taking away from my experience, only adding to the happiness and excitement.  My only regret is that I won't have much older sister advice to pass along (or hand-me-downs).  I can just see into the future at all the summer trips to hang with cousin at Auntie and Uncle's house and us hosting their child, family vacations there will always be a buddy to hang out with and the bond they can form will be everlasting.  Now, the surprise part will be, do we both have girls or boys or one of each...only time will tell!!!  The picture below is how she told our family of the good news, both babies are present in the picture, my mom and I just didn't know it (this was when I went to San Diego in November).

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!

I believe Kyle and I have a direction we would like to go with the nursery, if you look back at some of the older blogs say from the wedding or home remodeling you'll notice that I am a big fan of bright bold colors.  You may also notice that Kyle and I like to travel and see new places (also evident from our destination wedding).  So sticking with my natural draw we are going with a Pixar Up themed room.  Bright balloons, animals and adventures.  I can't wait to put the finishing touches on the nursery and make it "look" ready for its little inhabitant. I don't want to go over the top with Up but it will be my kicking off of the final product.

Crib and closet organizers coming together!

Futon in the baby room

Changing table in place (this is the one my mom used when she had me :-))

I started a prenatal yoga class on Sunday mornings with a couple friends, and boy oh boy I've already noticed a huge difference when I wake up in the mornings.  I was getting very stiff in my hips and just one session of stretching has helped immensely.  As time goes on I may start going a second night of the week but for now I'll hang with Sunday mornings and the gym other nights.  I've also signed us up for some of our "prep" classes...tour of the maternity wing at the hospital, infant care, breastfeeding and birthing classes.  Checking things off the list. 

Holidays...presents are being wrapped and ready to go to Southern California.  We should be leaving San Jose Tuesday 12/23 after work so hopefully we will make good time and our vacation can get started.  Kyle is planning to do some work while we are down there but hey I'll be with the family so more power to him :-)  not ideal but I understand. I believe he'll also be heading to San Diego to catch up with some friends and do a little golfing since he had to miss our trip in November.  While he is gone my mom, sister, grandma and I are heading to the spa for a little pampering!  Another first for us this year is Mychal and Devarae will not be with our family for the actual x-mas day, they are heading to Oregon to celebrate with his family.  They are very lucky to have them and they know they will be missed with our family but are in very good hands and loving hearts.  Enjoy the cold you two!  We went to my holiday party this last week, very fun, great turn out!  Didn't get a chance to upload a picture from Kyle's party in the last update so I'm including one from both our parties in this blog. 


Laura, Me and Kyle at the Kimley-Horn Holiday Function

Kyle, Me, Danielle (also expecting), and Nick at the Airport Holiday Party

Ok I think I've dumped enough for this lunch hour, now I get to insert pictures (everyone's favorite part).  Happy holidays to all and I hope your 2015 is as magical as ours.

Much love,
Kyle, Shalyce and Baby C

Tucker Dog helping decorate the tree....good boy!

Packages under the tree and Sequoia trying to refrain from chewing them up ;-)

Quick Update

Had my regular Dr. appointment today, everything went well and baby's heart was strong and kicking at the Dr.  We got an A+ grade :-)  Between now and 1/5/15 I have to go get my diabetes test done, thank goodness no fasting...drink I can handle not eating would be too much for me to survive!  Got information about birthing classes and a list of pediatricians to pick from so the next round of fun begins.

Our search for daycare continues, looking around for one by my work so I can utilize the carpool lane...I know selfish but I'm not above it, HA.  We found one we like down by home but the hunt continues just to be sure there isn't a carpool option. 

My mom brought the changing table down this weekend, it fits in the room perfectly and what special meaning it holds for me (it was the table my mom used for me and I used it as a dresser growing up).  Some new lining in the drawers and it will be good to go.  I'll insert a picture of it in this blog later, don't have one at the moment.

On top of the dresser delivery, my mom was here for the annual ladies' ornament exchange party. What a great group of ladies this year, we talked and talked and talked on top of exchanging some very beautiful ornaments.  Thank you to all who could make it and I already can't wait until next year :-)  More fun ahead with work parties and basketball parties and tacky sweater parties...not the best time of year to be sober but hey the sacrifices we make for our kids ;-)  wow that sounds weird to say but so true.

Sidenote - I can't wait for my black belly band to arrive, I tried to keep a pair of non maternity pants closed with a safety pin today and it didn't work too well...fail, but the band would have done the trick nicely.  Still too small for the belt extender thing but too big for my regular pants guess I go back to the jeggings ;-) speaking of, I have another pair in the mail somewhere I need to check the status of. 

Little baby is kicking up a storm these days and it is only going to get more distracted, so I apologize if I am talking to you and seem to stop paying attention at points, nothing personal, I'm sure whatever you are telling me is very interesting, just so distracting getting punched from the inside.

Alright I'll close out for now.  Enjoy some fun pictures from the past weekend and I'll tag on a couple more when I get them from Kyle or have a chance to take one at home.